NRL ‘ over the top’ to punish Wighton

THE Canberra Raiders are unlikely to appeal against the NRL’s decision to impose a 10week suspension and a $ 30,000 fine on fullback Jack Wighton despite labelling the ban “excessive.”

The Raiders were fuming yesterday, accusing the NRL of “coming over the top” of the club’s original six- week ban on Wighton, who pleaded guilty to five counts of assault and one of public urination.

In a strong statement, Raiders chairman Dr Allan Hawke said the club was upset the NRL chose to extend Wighton’s club- imposed suspension.

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg made it clear he didn’t agree with the Raiders’ stance, warning on Thursday the club could be overruled.

“It’s simple as this – I’ve viewed the footage and I don’t think the sanction they’ve proposed is strong enough,” Greenberg said.

Wighton’s legal team are attempting to suppress CCTV footage of the February incident, with a decision expected in October on whether it will be made public.

The NRL has given Wighton five days to respond to the proposed penalty, but at this stage the Raiders don’t feel it’s necessary to reply.

Hawke labelled the NRL’s choice to empower the club before going over their head as confusing and contradictory.

“We’re disappointed to learn the NRL does not agree with this punishment and feel they have to come over the top and add a further four weeks and a monetary fine to the penalty,” Hawke said.

“We are perplexed as to why the NRL felt the need to impose further punishment before this process was concluded and it sets an extraordinary precedent to the way matters are handled by clubs in the future.”

Wighton will be ineligible to play again until the end of Round 25.